When talking about night bouldering, one thing that easily comes to mind is a type of fun-filled, unique experience. As with every other type of nighttime project, night bouldering is a challenging task that will need the participants to invest in waterproof, bright and durable light.
Light is an important aspect of this activity; no one would not want to go bouldering at night without a perfectly illuminating light to avoid falling or striking any part of your body on the rocks.
If you are confused about the kind of light to use, you could first opt for a regular headlamp. This is because a typical person does not understand the differences between halogen, incandescent, fluorescent or LED lighting.
However, the first step in choosing the ideal light for any activity, including night bouldering, is to figure out what it entails. In this piece, we discuss the best type of illumination for night bouldering.
Table of Contents
What Is Night Bouldering?
Night bouldering is a leisure sport where people are often required to mount on cliffs and rocks. The participants must exhibit excellent eye-hand coordination. It is essential for maintaining equilibrium when climbing.
There are two major types of night bouldering: indoor and outdoor night bouldering. While the former may appear to be the safer option, a lot of people would prefer the latter. Why? Because traveling to an open area with a rock-like wall or a real rock for bouldering can sometimes be a daring mission for some.
Simply put, night bouldering happens at night. People who choose this form of bouldering do so because it is less crowded at night. Climbing at night can be appealing for a variety of reasons, including the adrenaline rush and sense of accomplishment that climbers experience.
What type of light can I use for night bouldering?
Each light option differs in terms of brightness, which is the most important factor to consider when selecting one. It also varies depending on the sizes, fixtures, voltage and a variety of other qualities that the brand specifies. In this part, we will look at the various types of lighting and determine which is best for night bouldering.
1. Halogen Lights
Halogen lights are a more advanced version of incandescent lights, however, they differ in that they produce light using halogen gas. When compared to incandescent lights, they provide a higher light output and have a longer usable life.
In addition to being low-priced, halogen lights tend to mimic natural sunlight, which makes them suitable for natural illumination. They are also simple to use as you could just switch the brightness at any point in time.
2. Fluorescent Lamps
Fluorescent lamps are light sources that emit light through a glass tube containing a mixture of gases, such as mercury and argon. These gases are contained within the tube as a coating and allow the bulb to create light via a chemical reaction known as fluorescence.
It features electrodes that make the process of emitting light easier as well as a ballast that adjusts the operating voltage to produce the required amount of light.
Invisible ultraviolet light is produced during the light generation process, which brightens the coating and emits fluorescent light. Fluorescent lights, when compared to incandescent and halogen lights, use less energy to produce light and are also inexpensive.
3. LEDs
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are a type of illumination that is more modern and adaptable. This sort of lighting system employs a microchip, conducting electricity passing via the chip and onto the diode, where it is converted to visible light.
Although LEDs consume the same amount of energy as conventional bulbs, they often tend to create twice the amount of light. No lighting choice comes close to LEDs in terms of useful life because they do not pack up like other bulbs and instead produce a dimmer light.
They are the greatest choice of lighting for all types of environments, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet all lighting requirements.
For night bouldering, a LED headlamp or floodlight would be a suitable choice due to its brightness and other features that set it apart from other light alternatives. A LED light’s lumens would be sufficient to cover the rock and its environs, preventing you from colliding with one of its sharp edges while bouldering.
See Also: Are Lava Lamps a Fire Hazard & Can I Leave them on All Night?
Why Should You Have a Light When Night Bouldering?
Bouldering at night in the dark does not appear to be a sensible decision for a variety of reasons. One, it takes place at night when there could be little to no source of illumination.
Without the correct quantity and quality of light, tracing the right trails when night bouldering would be impossible. Let’s take a closer look at why you should bring enough light for night bouldering.
1. You Can Easily Climb
Climbing requires you to position your foot in the right areas to travel the surface of the rock or wall you are going upon. This means that if you don’t have a floodlight or headlight, you cannot get a good look at these surfaces.
If you are lucky, the moon may be out. But that doesn’t rule out the possibility of not being clear enough to illuminate your path. That’s more reason It’s beneficial to have a light close enough to cover your trails more quickly and easily.
Now, imagine that you and your buddies decide to compete while night bouldering where the winner will receive a reward. You will find that anyone who involves themselves in the competition without having any good light with them will come out last because it’s impossible to figure out the next move with deeply squinted eyes.
On the contrary, someone who has access to light has a better advantage as they can easily examine their track and the amount of leg coordination required to get there.
2. Accidents That are Likely to Occur are Avoided
Even something as basic as a foot contacting the rock’s surface during night bouldering without lights can rapidly turn into a nightmare.
When visibility is obstructed by poor lighting, anyone that’s night bouldering may lose their balance and trip. This can result in injuries or even worse outcomes, especially if a crash pad is not available. Having light when climbing at night prevents accidents.
3. Allows You To See the Rock and Its Surroundings Clearly
Before you start night bouldering on a cliff, you might need to study the cliff and its surroundings. While at it, ensure to use a light that is above average and can provide a well-detailed coverage of the cliff. This will allow you to see if the rock’s surface is smooth or rough. It will also allow you to have a better understanding of the task ahead of you.
Can the Same Light Be Used For Both Indoor and Outdoor Night Bouldering?
Bouldering indoors and bouldering outdoors are two quite different activities even though they both involve performing the same thing.
For indoor night bouldering, you can decide to visit the gym or any other indoor space that has a rocky platform for indoor night bouldering installed in it. This allows beginners to get a feel for climbing.
On the other hand, outdoor night bouldering is purely meant for people who actively seek out these rocks on their own.
A majority of the gears used in indoor bouldering are artificial and are not fit for night bouldering. Because they are not the same, it’s inappropriate to make the same type of preparations for them. That’s why it’s important to learn about the lighting requirements that should apply individually to indoor and outdoor night bouldering. Let’s look at the differences in both activities and the lighting requirements for each below.
1. Lighting Provision
In indoor bouldering, the lights are put in the correct places and at the right angles to fit the boulderer’s focus when climbing.
It’s different for outdoor night bouldering as the burden of providing illumination ultimately falls on the shoulders of the boulderer.
In case you intend to go for night bouldering, the moon and stars are the only sources of illumination available ahead of time. When climbing at night, you must carry along an additional light.
2. Lumen Requirements
Not everyone can figure this out on their own, but most lighting systems that are designed for indoor bouldering always meet the set standards. That’s because they are often governed by laws. These regulations will include specific requirements for things like how much brightness is required when bouldering at night.
Anyone who wants to go on outdoor night bouldering would be unaware of these requirements, especially if they are a beginner.
Depending on the location and setting, different lights emit differing degrees of light. When the same light is used for both indoor and outdoor night bouldering, the light output is expected to differ. Indoor night bouldering LED floodlights will have a lower lumen than outdoor night bouldering LED floodlights.
3. Light Positioning
The lights are strategically placed on the wall and ceilings in the indoor night climbing sites. With that, everywhere is properly lit, which makes a 360-degree view of the man-made rock possible.
As a result, light bulbs with fixtures are mounted on any required surface across the bouldering area.
For outdoor night bouldering, light is strapped to various areas of the body, such as the head or even the ankle. Various brands of LED headlamps, floodlights, and a range of other choices are used as lighting like work lights.
Required Lumen For Night Bouldering Lights
The lumen is a crucial factor in determining the brightness of the light. The more lumens your night bouldering lights have, the clearer the rock and its elements are to view; the higher you ascend, the better your chances of succeeding.
Oftentimes, you should consider the negative effects of using light in a very bright setting as it will most likely harm your eyesight. So, the quantity of light used in night bouldering should be limited and regulated.
A headlamp with 15000 lumens would be ideal for a night out bouldering because you can mount the light on your head and turn it in different directions to get a perfect view of the rock you are climbing. You can also choose a light that provides white neutral light; it allows you to easily see and grip the surfaces when climbing the rock.
This selection may also be influenced by the individual in question; for example, a headlamp with a lumen rating of 2500 may provide very minimum illumination for one person while performing well for another. That may be too much light for some people, so it is best to pick something appropriate for your luminous flux tolerance.
Is Getting Light for Night Bouldering a Good Investment?
Yes, deciding to buy the correct light for your night bouldering will always make a good purchase. It’s best to go for a light that is both lightweight and efficient as that will give you the most value for your money.
One of the best things about these lights is that they are so varied that you can always find one that fits your needs and budget. Ensure to go for light that has the ideal nighttime quality.
Tips to Consider When Purchasing a Night Bouldering Light
Let’s look at a few tips to consider when looking to purchase a light for your night bouldering:
1. Method of Application
There are a variety of lighting options. From battery-powered lights to rechargeable lamps to solar-powered work lights, you can choose anyone that best fits your need.
Many people prefer battery-powered lights because they are just easy to use, unlike their electrical energy counterparts.
2. Price Range
Factoring in your budget when planning to purchase a night bouldering light is necessary as that will help guide your buying decisions.
While the pricing of each bulb may vary, you might want to go for battery-powered lamps—they are readily available and as a result, might likely be less expensive than rechargeable or solar-powered lamps.
Maintenance Of Night Bouldering Light
Here are the different types of lighting options and how you can effectively maintain each of them:
Battery Powered Light
You will need to change the batteries as often as feasible to keep a battery-powered lamp running. Not doing this may cause the battery to melt in the lamp and destroy the components that allow it to function, especially if it is being used for an extended period.
Rechargeable Light
A rechargeable lamp must be charged sufficiently before use. You are free to turn it on once it’s fully charged.
While in use, take note of when your rechargeable light starts to go dim; it could be a sign that you need to recharge the light. Avoid using it while charging. This will prevent it from charging to its full capacity. You will also need to replace this bulb after it’s reached the end of its useful life.
Solar Powered Light
With solar lights, you must ensure to charge them at the proper time and to their greatest capacity.
You may choose to charge it with sunlight, but in the absence of that, you can use artificial light, such as an incandescent lamp.
When utilizing a solar-powered lamp, keep it as far away from any liquid or chemical as possible. The lamp should also be cleaned of dust and debris.
Are Floodlights Used for Night Bouldering?
Floodlights are lights that are used in stadiums and open fields for recreational, sports activities and other events that require a large beam of light.
As the name implies, floodlights are common for flooding the area they are being used in with adequate light.
As a night bouldering lover, you can invest in good floodlight brand(s). That way, you’re sure of getting the best quality of light possible to cover the rock area that you are climbing on.
Types Of Lights For Night Bouldering
This collection of night bouldering optional lights can be used together for greater results, or you can use them individually. Let’s learn more about them below:
Headlamps
Headlamps are an excellent choice for night bouldering, thanks to the hands-free possibilities they provide.
With headlamps, you can see ahead and move in the appropriate direction when climbing. They also come in a variety of forms that allow you to modify the brightness while in use, so if the light is bothering your vision, you can simply switch to a lower setting.
Floodlights
Unlike spotlights, which are designed to focus on a specific region, floodlights cast a wide beam of light that covers the entire area. They are a wonderful night bouldering alternative, especially if you need to catch every angle of the rock you’re climbing.
Moreover, they provide light to a big area with the same amount of energy that a spotlight uses to produce light for a smaller area. It emits white light, which is required for recreations like bouldering, and it is also long-lasting.
Work Lights
Work lights are often used at work sites. Technicians employ them to complete tasks, and they provide maximum brightness when in use.
Aside from being used in an open space, work lights are also helpful for night bouldering.
This light is a good choice because it comes in a variety of sizes and includes a flexible function that allows you to position it in the opposite direction of the rock you are climbing. The lamp sits on a surface and provides the necessary illumination.
Top Night Bouldering Light Recommendation
In this section, we review some of the top night bouldering light brands to look out for, as well as their specifications. This will assist you in selecting one for your night bouldering adventure.
1. ELMCHEE Rechargeable Bouldering Headlamp
A headlamp with eight different settings and a lumen rating of 12000 lumens that stands out from the crowd. This headlamp exceeds its contemporaries as it is powered by a Lithium battery and has a USB input for charging. This means you do not need to buy a special charger if you already have a USB cord at home.
It also includes a waterproof feature and the ability to rotate when in use. You can obtain a clearer sight when you need it because it allows users to zoom in on a specific area they want to focus on.
2. Sunzone Portable LED Work Light
This floodlight has a stand that allows you to move it around and set it in a position. It comes with a portable head that can be rotated in a 360-degree position when the light is needed in different directions.
The Sunzone Portable LED Work Light is made of metal. This makes it long-lasting and resistant to the elements. So, you do not have to worry about having to replace it in a short period. As long as it’s completely charged, it can last for several hours without dimming.
3. OTYTY 100W COB Portable LED Bouldering Light
Although this light is typically used at work sites, it can also be used for night bouldering and other outdoor activities. It gives maximum brightness and allows you to adjust between different brightness levels.
OTYTY 100W Cob portable LED bouldering light is rechargeable. When purchased, it comes with extra rechargeable batteries as well as a specific charging port and charger.
4. ThorFire LED Bouldering Lantern
This product is ideal if you’re looking for a more flexible option.
Not only is it collapsible, but the ThorFire LED Bouldering Lantern also features an inbuilt solar-powered battery that can either be recharged through a USB.
Final Thoughts
When utilized for night bouldering, the best light can make the experience more fun and faster, which is why it is always recommended to invest in high-quality lighting.
The Sunzone portable LED work light is the best of the above-mentioned light options for me. This is because of its vital qualities, such as the capacity to rotate 360 degrees. It is also waterproof—the reason why it stands out. It’s an excellent source of illumination for night bouldering.
